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(NU Model.) i J. E. ROBINSON.

CONSTRUCTION 0F GANALS, RALRoAD BEDS, 20.

No. 380,934. Patented Apr. 10, 1888.

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JOI-IN E. ROBINSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CONSTRUCTION 0F CANLS, RAELROADWBEDS, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming parl: of Letters Patent No. 380,934, dated April l0, 1888.

Application filed September 7, 1887. Serial No. 249,035.

lStructures, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the 'letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of this invention is to provide a wall, bed, or abutment for use in Various engineering structures, and specially for use in swampy or muddy localities, in order to form a support for the stone-work entering into such structures, as hereinafter particularly pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal section of a feature of my invention, showing the manner of its construction and the way in which it is laid during the course of construction. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of a canal and itsbanks, showing the application of my invention thereto. Fig. 3 is a transverse section showing the application of my invention to a railroad-bed. Fig. 4 is a View showing the plan of construction of the bed or mattress, as hereinafter described.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

In carrying out my invention, and supposing it to be applied to the construction of a canal, a ditch is first cut at each side of the proposed canal of, say, thirty feet in width and eight feet in depth, said ditches being lled with water. I then take a series of wire ropes or cables, A, and firmly attach their ends to masonry at the starting-point at each side of the canal, by sinking the ends of said ropes or cables in the masonry and leading or otherwise securing the said ends. The opposite ends of said wire ropes or cables have been previously coiled on spools or reels B, suitably mounted on scows which float in the ditches.

It will be understood that there is a series of ropes or cables at or near each side of the ditch, as shown in Fig. 2. I then take logs, C, of vsuitable length and weave them with the said ropes or cables,l as shown in Fig. l, the cables being passed over and under the logs, as plainly shown in said gure. It will be seen that there are two series of logs-an up- (No model.)

by means of planks G', which rest under the lower series and by pieces of wire cable which are passed over the upper series and tied under the said planks, as shown.

It is understood that the structure or mattress thus formed is intended, when used in canalconstruction, as a bed for the walls or banks, as shown in Fig. 2, and that it is specially designed for use in swampy localities.

During the construction and laying of the bed or mattress the stone is unloaded from a train on a track contiguous to the proposed bank and thrown upon the bed, and the facewall e maybe built up while the iiiling in is being done, thus effecting great economy in constructions of this class.

The same mode of making the bed or mattress will be followed if the invention is used as a railroad-bed, and as such it will be found useful in crossing swamps or other similar localities. It is proposed in canal or other constructions to support the bed or mattress on piles D, which are driven down before the construction and laying of the mattress until they reach a solid bottom. rIlhe piles all being driven (by use of a follower, D', of the requisite length) to the proper level, the bed when it sinks down will be perfectly level. rIhe follower is afterward withdrawn.

Fig. 3 shows a railroad-bed constructed in accordance with my invention, with the series of piles driven down, and having a uniform level to which the bod sinks into the soft mud.

, Having described my invention, I claim- In the construction of canals, railroad-beds, and other earth works and structures, the method herein described of constructing and laying a mattress or bed, by interweaving logs with wire ropes or cables as the latter are paid out from a moving carrier, tying together a series of said logs and cables so interwoven with planks and cables, and sinking the whole upon a foundation of leveled piles, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto setmy hand and seal'.

JOHN E. ROBINSON. [L s] Witnesses:

E. L. WHITE, GEO. F. FLINT.

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